This book is twenty years old and incredibly poignant and timely. Berry's wisdom and genius shines through every single page as he deftly reveals systThis book is twenty years old and incredibly poignant and timely. Berry's wisdom and genius shines through every single page as he deftly reveals systemic issues lying at the heart of our technologically intoxicated, chronically connected world. This should be required reading for every student in the United States....more

This is the most concise book on systematic theology I've seen that is legitimate. So, I suppose it is aptly named. It is succinct, chock-full of ScriThis is the most concise book on systematic theology I've seen that is legitimate. So, I suppose it is aptly named. It is succinct, chock-full of Scriptural references, and still thorough. Great intro book for anyone wanting a survey of orthodox Christianity....more

This book took me off guard because the Intro (or maybe Forward) talked about this being a book in a series of accessible, non-theologically heavy, smThis book took me off guard because the Intro (or maybe Forward) talked about this being a book in a series of accessible, non-theologically heavy, small group usable books. While not Calvin's Institutes, this was most certainly a theological work, full of terminology like perichoresis, eikon, praxis, etc.

After adjusting my expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed this work. McKnight challenges the reader to broaden their concept of atonement, not by watering it down, but by seeing it in its' full context. He is arguing for not just adopting one theory or analogy of atonement but rather synthesize them into a cohesive view of what atonement means, what atonement does, and what atonement calls us to.

My only complaints are that at times it felt like he was massaging passages or topics to fit them into his construct (and these were the aspects of his argument that I most disagreed with) and that either the author or the editor seemed to have lost steam by the time the book got to the application phase. I'd rather have the theological ponderings be more brief and the application be more robust.

If you'd like an articulate, thorough, and at least seemingly orthodox take (there are times that an entire chapter makes total sense but the way he sums it up sounds off) on the main thrust of the New Perspectives on Paul and the Emergent Church, I think this is the place to look....more

I don't remember a great deal about this book, as it's been a decade since a read it (just noticed that a friend is reading it and that it wasn't in mI don't remember a great deal about this book, as it's been a decade since a read it (just noticed that a friend is reading it and that it wasn't in my catalog. However, I recall it being an excellent read, as Lewis always is!...more

This is a very thorough theological overview of the doctrine of hell, refreshingly delivered with a pastoral rather than a clinical voice. Anyone inteThis is a very thorough theological overview of the doctrine of hell, refreshingly delivered with a pastoral rather than a clinical voice. Anyone interested in this doctrine or thrown recently into confusion by the subject would be very well served to read this concise, informative, and biblically grounded work....more

I never expected a work on the incarnation written in the 4th century to be so accessible. I guess a good bit of credit goes to the translator; it felI never expected a work on the incarnation written in the 4th century to be so accessible. I guess a good bit of credit goes to the translator; it felt like I was reading a contemporary author, excepting the arguments that wouldn't necessarily seem pertinent today. I think this should be the first read for anyone wanting to understand the reasoning behind Christ's incarnation. I found a few arguments to have a bit of faulty logic, but as a whole the work is excellent, and paints a vivid picture of an early church perspective on the subject....more

This book is written to defend the position that the Gospels were written with historical accuracy and integrity, and that they communicated the speecThis book is written to defend the position that the Gospels were written with historical accuracy and integrity, and that they communicated the speech and actions of Jesus faithfully and accurately.

While I think he did a great job, my main purpose in reading the book was to glean some insights on the rabbinic method of discipleship. One of the author's main arguments is that Jesus led his disciples in this manner, and by this manner, his disciples would have captured both his words and his ethos very carefully, as this is how the followers of any "teacher" or rabbi would have behaved.

As an aspiring discipler, I am very interested in the methods of the rabbinic school. This book was a good teaser, but as it was not the focal point of the book, it definitely left me wanting more. There seems to be precious little available on this topic....more

This is a moderately weighty book on what is REALLY meant by the "authority of Scripture". Wright deftly unfolds a clear argument for the reality thatThis is a moderately weighty book on what is REALLY meant by the "authority of Scripture". Wright deftly unfolds a clear argument for the reality that both conservative and liberal camps within Christianity tend to have a warped understanding of Scripture's authority, taking both down roads that lead to allegedly Scripture-based positions that are in reality rather arbitrary.

It is challenging read but if you can work through it with an open mind, it is guaranteed to force you to reconsider at least some of your assumptions, perspectives, and dogmatic assertions....more

Stott skillfully summarizes the basic Biblical explanation of the Holy Spirit's work in our life. He discusses the primary stances on the more controvStott skillfully summarizes the basic Biblical explanation of the Holy Spirit's work in our life. He discusses the primary stances on the more controversial issues regarding the Holy Spirit's work and draws conclusions solely based on the corpus of Scripture. I will say that the title insinuates a more inspirational or devotional bent to the book, while it is primarily a practical but systematic handling of the topic.

I strongly recommend this to anyone wrestling with the Holy Spirit's role in the Christian's life or anyone lacking any perspective at all on the Holy Spirit....more

This is definitely not your every day devotional. It is substantial theological exposition written at a level that is accessible for most leaders. RatThis is definitely not your every day devotional. It is substantial theological exposition written at a level that is accessible for most leaders. Rather than being primarily inspirational, Wright uses daily passages of Scripture from various New Testament books to help the reader understand the events of the first Lenten season in a deeper, more historically/culturally grounded way....more

This book is a philosophical defense of Christianity written as a personal spiritual journey. Chesterton chronicles his musings on the nature of the wThis book is a philosophical defense of Christianity written as a personal spiritual journey. Chesterton chronicles his musings on the nature of the world and takes the reader along with him as he slowly discovers that the only reasonable conclusion one can reach is Christianity. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Several friends had been spoken unenthusiastically about it. I definitely enjoyed the first half much more than the second half; not sure why that is, but it just seemed that the arguments were much more lucid and sharp in the early chapters and a bit more muddled and clunky at the end. There were times that I remarked out loud how brilliant he was and other times that I furrowed my brow as I read a passionate argument that seemed to make no sense.